Thiago Silva was missing for Brazil and his only remaining role in the tournament was to console team-mates (Image: Action Images / Lee Smith)

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Germany 7 Brazil 1 – 2014

So much more than a crushing defeat, this was the death of the host nation’s Jogo Bonito (“beautiful game”) at the hands of ruthless German efficiency. The hopes of a nation obliterated in front of a gorging global audience.

The most discussed single sports game in Twitter history with 35.6 million tweets, never have more goals been scored or a heavier defeat inflicted in a World Cup semi final.

Brazil’s six-goal loss equalled their worst result in history (6-0 to Uruguay in 1920), and was their first defeat at home in a competitive match for 40 years. Ouch.

But does this shock result surpass these?

Liverpool v AC Milan - The Miracle of Istanbul - 2005

Before kick-off, Milan were slight favourites to edge the European Cup final. By half-time, they were home and dry...until an unbelievable comeback turned this into a true sporting upset.

It was 3-0 at half-time to the Milanese men, so dominant they were heard celebrating in the dressing room with 45 minutes to play. The same players would later be seen casting their runners-up medals into the crowd.

Inspired by Steven Gerrard, Liverpool scored three second half goals and went on to win the penalty shoot-out, thanks in part to wobbly legged goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.

Foinavon’s Grand National – 1967

The equine equivalent of Eddie the Eel winning Olympic gold in the breaststroke, Aintree will surely never again crown a more calamitous champion.

Unfancied 100/1 shot Foinavon defied the odds by literally plodding to victory after practically all the other runners fell.

Even after being gifted a massive lead, following a 29-horse pile-up Foinavon was nearly outpaced at the finishing post, when many jockeys who had fallen decided to remount and chase down the plucky no hoper. But he nonetheless ensured a bumper payday for once-a-year punters who took a chance on the long-shot.

Cardiff City 1-0 Real Madrid – 1971

Brian Clark secured immortal status at Ninian Park when his unforgettable winner beat the great Real Madrid side in one of Cardiff City’s finest hours.

During the European Cup Winners Cup quarter-final, the striker’s 31st minute header from teenager Nigel Rees’ pinpoint cross against the six-times European champions sent an estimated 50,000 fans into raptures.

Sadly, and somewhat more predictably, the Bluebirds lost 2-0 in the second-leg return at the Bernabéu.

Ryder Cup - The miracle of Medinah – 2012

Trailing by 10-6 on the final day, there was surely no way back for Europe against the US.

But led by Jose Maria Olazabal and inspired by the spirit of his friend Seve Ballesteros, Europe rallied, the Americans collapsed, paving the way for golf’s greatest ever upset.

The US had done likewise at Brookline in 1999 but the Medinah contest saw Europe, boosted by Ian Poulter, snatched a 14½-13½ victory in their opponents own back yard.

Using only their own objective moral compasses to guide them, 22 executive committee members from Fifa voted to award the 2022 World Cup tournament to a country with less than half the population of Wales and, most worryingly, summer temperatures routinely above 43C.

Unlike rival bidders the United States, Australia, South Korea and Japan, Qatar has no notable history of international football and no infrastructure.

The winning bid, which has also involved the headache of switching domestic league dates has since become mired in controversy, accusations and counter-claims – with some pundits suggesting the nation may yet be stripped of host status.

Steve Robinson’s world title – 1997

Robinson went from a £52 per week Debenhams storeman in Cardiff to Wales’ first boxing champion for 25 years after WBO featherweight champion Ruben Palacios was stripped of his title.

The call went out to find an opponent to meet England’s John Davison for the vacant title and Robinson was offered £12,000 to take the fight with just 48 hours’ notice.

He needed to lose 6lb to make weight and was eating pie and chips when he got the call.

But in twist that wouldn’t be out of place in a Hollywood script, he won the fight, became a world champion and handed in his notice at Debenhams.

Pete Samprass beaten by a “Swiss kid” – 2001

Pete Sampras, arguably the greatest tennis player of all time, was gunning for his fifth straight Wimbledon title. He had not lost at SW19 for 31 matches. But in a shock result he was silenced in a five-set fourth round thriller by a then unknown composed teenager with a tantalising array of shots.

It was Sampras’ earliest exit in 10 years of the Wimbledon Championships.

The upset would become less so with the benefit of hindsight because his opponent – making his centre court debut that day – was none other than Roger Federer.

Wales humbled by Flying Fijians - 2007

Wales faced Rugby World Cup humiliation after crashing to a disastrous 38-34 defeat in Nantes to Fiji, eliminating them at the group stage.

It was Fiji’s first win in nine games against Wales and led to their first World Cup quarter-final since 1987.

The defeat, which cost coach Gareth Jenkins his job, even eclipsed Wales’ previous World Cup disaster in 1991 when Western Samoa beat Wales them 16-13 at Cardiff Arms Park, leading Max Boyce to famously quip: “Thank goodness we weren’t playing all of Samoa.”

Denmark European Champions - 1992

Twenty-two-years-ago, Denmark were given just over a week’s notice to get a squad prepared for Euro ‘92 having failed to qualify for the tournament.

Their surprise inclusion came after Yugoslavia, in a state of civil war, were not allowed to participate.

But the unfancied Danes scraped through the group stages...and eventually beat Germany 2-0 in the final.

Their dramatic title is rivalled by Greece who also pulled off one of the biggest shocks in football history to beat Portugal in the Euro 2004 final.

Tiger Woods – 1997

Eldrick Woods was already being tipped as a future star going into his first Masters tournament as a professional in April 1997 – but what he did in Augusta turned the 21-year-old into one of the biggest stars in sport.

Having turned pro eight months earlier Woods was crowned champion by 12 shots, the largest margin of victory ever in a Masters, making him the tournament’s youngest winner and the first black player to win a major.